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Right House - A new approach to comfortable, healthy and energy efficient homes

Passive Solar Design for New Zealand Homes

Saturday, January 20, 2007
Main Issues
Main Issues
Click here to see full PDF on EECA website

Passive solar construction is a very attractive design philosophy as not only does it save energy, but it also reduces dampness and condensation, improves sound insulation, increases the durability of building materials and makes the home healthier. Passive solar construction uses the sun to warm the house. Heat is absorbed into the building and slowly released back into the house as it cools. Solar heating can be the sole source of warmth or can be supplemented by other sources. Consequently passive solar design has the potential to reduce New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Houses consume nearly 35% of the total electricity generated in New Zealand. Unfortunately the majority of New Zealand houses do not use energy efficiently. Space and water heating are the predominant uses of energy in a home, and energy savings in these areas are easily achieved (see EECA for further information). This leaflet introduces the principles of passive solar design for space heating in houses. Solar water heating is covered in the EECA information sheet “Energy Wise Renewables - 1”.

Hot summers and cold winters are a challenging combination for solar buildings, and attention needs to be paid to both summer and winter conditions. Chilly weather conditions can be warmed with correct window design to admit as much solar heat as possible, the right materials to store as much heat as possible and plenty of insulation to conserve heat. A home can be kept cool in summer without the need for air-conditioning, by correct placement of shading, ventilation and insulation (although flexibility needs to be built into systems to allow for unusual weather conditions, eg hot winters or cool summers). These basic principles can produce year-round comfort in your home for little cost and can be applied to existing houses as well as renovations. The initial extra cost (if any) is paid back over time in savings on energy costs.
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